Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
Northwest Network (VISN 20)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on October 13, 2011. Also cited in 208 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000067667, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 20 Seattle, WA
Issue:
A patient list containing full patient names, partial SSNs, and medical information was discovered near the outpatient pharmacy on a table by an employee. Update: 10/13/11:Five patients will be sent a letter of notification.
Outcome:
Informed Surgery Service of possible breach by one of their staff members and reiterated that staff must dispose of any paper patients lists at the end of each shift by placing these lists in one of Iron Mountain secure totes, located in each patient area. Lab jackets, pockets and clipboards should be checked at the end of each shift to ensure that all PHI or PII is disposed of properly at the facility.